Miniature rose plant &#39;PACthree&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, red colored flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glass houses as a flowering pot plant. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Rosa hybrida

Variety Denomination

‘PACthree’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety ofminiature rose plant, which was developed by artificially pollinating anunnamed seedling(unpatented) with an unnamed seedling (unpatented). Thetwo parents were crossed in the summer of 2002 and the resulting seedwas sown in December 2002, in a controlled glasshouse environment. Outof these seedlings one seedling was selected, as the new variety andnamed ‘PACthree’. The new rose may be distinguished from its seedparent, an unnamed seedling, by the following combination ofcharacteristics:

1. ‘PACthree’ has medium double flowers, while the unnamed seedling hassmall double flowers.

2. ‘PACthree’ has red colored petals, while the unnamed seedling haspink petals.

The new variety may distinguished from its pollen parent, an unnamedseedling created by the same inventor, by the following combination ofcharacteristics:

1. ‘PACthree’ has medium flowers and foliage as compared to the unnamedseedling.

2. ‘PACthree’ has red colored petals, while the unnamed seedling hasdark pink petals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Initial asexual reproduction of ‘PACthree’ by cuttings was first done inSanta Barbara, Calif., USA. The reproduction was conducted in controlledgreenhouse environments. This initial, and other subsequent propagationsconducted in controlled environments have demonstrated that thecharacteristics of ‘PACthree’ are true to type and are transmitted fromone generation to the next.

‘PACthree’ is a low and compact miniature rose with good vigor.

The objective of the hybridization of this rose variety for commercialgreenhouse culture was to create a new and distinct variety with:

1. Uniform and abundant flowers with good keepability;

2. Attractive long lasting foliage and compact growth;

3. Year round flowering under glasshouse conditions;

4. Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots;

5. Durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitable fordistribution in the floral industry.

This combination of qualities was not present in previously availablecommercial cultivars of this type and distinguish ‘PACthree’ from allother varieties of which I am aware. The seeds from hybridization wereplanted in a controlled environment and evaluations were conducted onthe resulting plants. ‘PACthree’ was selected by, Daniel Jauchen, in hisdevelopment program in Santa Barbara, Calif., USA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color illustrations show as true as is reasonably toobtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics ofthe buds, flowers, leaves, stems of ‘PACthree’. Specifically illustratedin:

Photo Sheet 1:

1: Young shoot.

2: Bud before opening the sepals.

3: Bud at the stage of opening the sepals.

4: Bud at the stage of opening the petals.

5: Flower during course of opening.

6: Open flower—plan view—obverse.

7: Open flower—plan view—reverse.

8: Fully open flower—plan view—obverse.

9: Fully open flower—plan view—reverse.

Photo Sheet 2:

10: Receptacle showing stamens and pistils.

11: Receptacle showing pistils (stamens and sepals removed).

12: Flower petals, detached—inner surface.

13: Flower petals, detached—outer surface.

14: Bare stem exhibiting thorns and flower attachment.

15: Three leaflets upper side.

16: Three leaflets reverse side.

17: Five leaflets upper side.

18: Five leaflets reverse side.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the Miniature Rose: Rosahybrida ‘PACthree’.

The following observations, measurements, values and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in glass houses in Santa Barbara, Calif., USA.

The age of the observed plants where 11 to 13 weeks after propagation bycuttings, and produced as flowering pot plants in container of 10centimeter in diameter.

Environmental conditions in the cultivation area for the observedplants, has been temperatures from 64 to 78 degree Fahrenheit, and 10 to20 hours day length with assimilation light. Light levels from 600 footcandle to 6000 foot candle. The relative humidity has been ranging from50 to 85%.

Color references are made using The Royal Horticultural Society (London,England) Colour Chart, 1995, except where common terms of color areused. For a comparison, the nearest existing rose variety is ‘Ruiskjol’,a rose variety described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,672.

Chart 1 details several physical characteristics of ‘PACthree’ and‘Ruiskjol’. Chart 1: ‘PACthree’ ‘Ruiskol’ Petal color, Upper Red GroupRed Group surface 46A 45A Petal color, Reverse Red Group Red Groupsurface 46B 46A Petal count 30-35 36

-   Parents: Unnamed seedling times unnamed seedling.

Classification

-   Botanical: Rosa hybrida.-   Commercial: Miniature.

Plant

-   Plant growth: Moderately vigorous. Grows compact upright to bushy.    When grown as 10 cm pot plant, the average height of the plant    itself is 18 to 20 cm, and average width is 20 cm. When grown as a    15 cm pot plant, the average height of the plant itself is 22 cm to    27 cm, and average width is 30 cm. Production time is generally 11    to 13 weeks depending on average temperature, light level, and    cultural practices.

Stem

-   Color: Young wood: Yellow-Green Group 147C. Older wood: Yellow-Green    Group 147B.-   Thorns:    -   -   Incidence.—3-4 thorns per stem.        -   Size.—1 mm to 1.5 mm.        -   Color.—Greyed-Purple Group 186D.        -   Shape.—Deep concave.-   Surface:    -   -   Young wood: Smooth.        -   Older wood: Smooth.-   Stem diameter: 2 mm to 3 mm.-   Internode length: 20 mm to 30 mm.-   Numbers of internodes: 5 to 6.-   Plant foliage: Leaves arranged alternately, compound with 3 to 7    leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat in    aspect. Stipules at petiole base.-   Quantity of leaves: 5 to 6 per lateral branch.-   Leaf size: Medium 60 mm-75 mm (length). times. 40-50mm (width), for    5 leaflet.-   Petioles:    -   -   Color.—Yellow-Green Group 148C-D, with intonations of            Greyed-Purple Group 183C Margins: Entire Length: 9 mm to 11            mm Diameter: about 0.5 mm to 1 mm.-   Stipules: Size: 5 mm to 8 mm(length) 1-2 mm(width) Surface: Smooth    Color: Yellow-Green Group 147A-B, Margins: Serrated single.-   Rachis: Color: Yellow-Green Group 148C-D, with intonations of    Greyed-Purple Group 183C Margins: Entire Length: 16 mm to 25 mm    Diameter: 0.5 mm to 1 mm.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Edge.—Serrated.        -   Serration.—Single.        -   Shape.—Ovate with acute apex and obtuse base.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Appearance.—Dull.        -   Size.—length: 15 mm to 35 mm. Width: 10 mm to 15 mm.        -   Color.—Young foliage: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147B            Lower surface: Yellow-Green Group 147C, With intonations of            Greyed-Red 182D.-   Color: Mature foliage: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147A Lower    surface: Greyed-Green Group 191A.-   Leaf vein color: Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147A with    intonations of Greyed-Purple Group 183C. Reverse surface:    Greyed-Green Group 191A.

Inflorescence

-   Blooming habit: Recurrent.-   Number of flowers: Generally 1 to 3 bud per flowering stem.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Color.—Yellow-Green Group 147B-C.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Length.—30 mm to 40 mm Diameter: 1 mm to 2 mm.        -   Strength.—Upright.-   Receptacle: Surface: Smooth, glabrous.    -   -   Shape.—Funnel-shaped.        -   Size.—height: 5 mm to 6 mm width: 6 mm to 8 mm.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green Group 147B.-   Sepals:    -   -   Quantity.—5.        -   Shape.—Narrowly Ovate w. acute tip.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Margin.—Foliaceous appendages on three of the five sepals.        -   Appearance.—Dull.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147A-B Reverse            surface: Greyed-Green Group 190A.        -   Size.—16 mm (length), 5 mm (width).-   Buds:    -   -   Size.—15 mm to 17 mm (high) 15 mm to 26 mm (width) upon            opening.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Color.—at ¼ opening, Red Group 46A.-   Flower:    -   -   Duration.—As a pot plant, flowers last from 16 to 21 days.        -   Fragrance. None.        -   Size.—45 mm to 50 mm in diameter. Depth: 18 mm to 22 mm.        -   Form.—Shape of flower when viewed from the side. Up on            opening: Pointed to cupped Open flower: Flat.        -   Color.—Petals, upon opening: Upper surface: Red Group 46A            Group Base in White Group 155C Reverse surface:. Red Group            46A Group Base in White Group 155C. Petals after opening:            Upper surface: Red Group 46A Group Base in White Group 155C            Reverse surface: Red Group 46A Group Base in White Group            155C.        -   General tonality.—On Open flower: Third day: Red Group 46A            Group Afterwards: Red Group 46A Group.-   Petals:-   Petal reflex: Outermost petals reflex backwards at opening . Fully    open all petals reflex backwards.-   Texture: Smooth.-   Petal edge: Entire.-   Petal count: Approximately 30 on the average per flower.-   Petal size: Length 12 mm to 20 mm Width: 12 mm to 20 mm.-   Shape: Outer petals: Round — ovate Inner petals: Ovate Apex:    Orbicular, Base: Obtuse to rotundate.-   Reproductive organs:-   Stamen number: Approximately 45 on average per flower.-   Stamens length: 4 mm to 5 mm.-   Pollen: Color: Yellow-Orange Group 19D, Abundance: high.-   Anthers: Size: 1-2 mm Color: Orange-White Group 159D, Shape: Oblong.-   Filaments: Size: 3 mm to 4 mm.-   Color: Orange-White Group 159D with intonations of Greyed-Purple    Group 186A.-   Pistils number: Approximately 20-25 on average per flower.-   Stigmas: Location: Lower in location to anthers Color: Orange-White    Group 159B.-   Styles: Color: White Group 155B. Length: 1 mm to 2 mm.

Development

-   Vegetation: Dense.-   Blooming: Abundant.-   Aptitude to bear fruit: Poor.-   Resistance to diseases: Above average resistance to mildew and    Botrytis under normal growing conditions in Santa Barbara, Calif.,    USA.-   Hips/seeds has not been observed due to that the plant has never    been grown to the stage of seed development, due to the fact, that    the variety is developed for use as a flowering pot plant only.-   Winter hardiness & drought/heat tolerance: Due to the fact, that    this variety is a potted flowering plant, developed indoor use only,    the plant is not tested for winter hardiness or drought/heat    tolerance.

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniature class,substantially as herein illustrated and described as a distinct andnovel rose variety due to its abundant red flowers, attractive longlasting foliage, vigorous and compact growth, year round flowering underglasshouse conditions, suitability for production from softwood cuttingsin pots, and durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitablefor distribution in the floral industry.